Top amateur golfers in Hoylake for the Walker Cup

The best amateur golfers from both sides of the Atlantic will be in Hoylake this weekend, for the 47th Walker Cup at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

The biennial encounter on 7th and 8th September is being staged at the links for the first time since 1983.

Great Britain and Ireland will be bidding to win back the historic trophy after a 19-7 defeat to the United States at Los Angeles Country Club in 2017.

The United States will be looking for a first win on this side of the Atlantic since 2007, when they won 12½-11 ½ at Royal County Down.

Stunning shot of Royal Liverpool Golf Club http://kevinmurraygolfphotography.com

Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development and Amateur Events at The R&A, said, “The Walker Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious and exciting amateur events featuring the most talented golfers from Great Britain and Ireland and the United States.

“The two teams have contested many memorable encounters and golf fans of all ages can look forward to watching a competitive and entertaining match when it is played on one of the finest links courses in the country.”

The beginnings of the Walker Cup can be traced back to Hoylake in 1921 when it was the venue for a match between amateur golfers from Great Britain and Ireland and the United States.

The following year, the first official Walker Cup match was played at the National Golf Links of America in Southampton, New York.

The 1921 USA team, which included a young player destined to become a golfing legend – Bobby Jones, front row, second from the right

The USA team will be captained by Nathaniel Crosby, a fine amateur golfer who represented his country at Hoylake in 1983, and the son of entertainment legend, Bing Crosby. Leading the home side is Great Britain and Ireland Captain Craig Watson, who was the 1997 amateur champion.

There will be TV coverage on Sky Sports Golf over the weekend, and highlights on BBC Two on Monday night at 11:15pm.